State seeks new operator for Rend Lake Resort

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking a new operator for the resort at Rend Lake in Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, located near Whittington in Franklin County. This is an important step to ensure Rend Lake continues to be an important economic engine and tourism driver for southern Illinois

“The resort at Rend Lake can serve as a shining light for southern Illinois tourism, and we are confident the resort can be a top destination for visitors from throughout the state and around the country,” said IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal.

The previous lease for the resort was terminated last December, and finding a new concessionaire for the facility is a priority for the IDNR and for the office of Governor Bruce Rauner.

“We are excited for the potential reopening of the Rend Lake resort. This is an important part of an overall plan to market Southern Illinois to tourists, and even encourage our own neighbors to take advantage of all that our region has to offer,” State Sen. Dale Fowler of Harrisburg said. “I am optimistic that the resort will be a bigger and better draw for visitors once again.”

“This place means a lot to the people that visit and to the people that live here. The resort and lake are truly a jewel for southern Illinois,” said State Rep. Dave Severin of Marion.

Commercial anglers to get black carp bounty

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is encouraging commercial fishermen in the state to report and turn in any specimens of invasive black carp captured in their nets in the Illinois River, or in the Illinois waters of the Mississippi, Ohio and Wabash rivers.

Commercial fishermen can earn a bounty of $100 for black carp. Sport fishers are unlikely to catch black carp.

Commercial fishers who capture black carp should call (217785-8722, (618)453-6089 or (573)876-1866 during regular business hours, or report to your local natural resource agency. Fish should be held cold on ice (not alive) until passed to a natural resource agent.

Venison donated

The Illinois Conservation Foundation thanks hunters for supporting the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program with donations of 15,523 pounds of venison during the 2016-17 deer seasons.

Hunter-donated venison is prepared by participating local meat processors for donation to local food pantries.

Resident Illinois hunters may now apply online for permits for the 2017 Illinois Fall Shotgun Turkey season (Oct. 21-29).

The first lottery application deadline is July 3. For more turkey hunting information, check the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov.

Wingshooting clinics planned

Wingshooting clinics will again be conducted this summer and fall in Illinois at IDNR sites, cooperating gun clubs and hunting preserves.

Most clinics are conducted on weekends. Wingshooting clinics for youth (age 10-15) and women provide instruction on safely firing a shotgun at a moving target with reasonable reliability. Hunter wingshooting clinics are hands-on, and include extensive live fire at a variety of clay target presentations on sporting clays courses specifically designed for teaching typical hunting situations.

For this year’s wingshooting clinic schedule and more information, check the IDNR website www.dnr.illinois.gov.